Subscribe to this blog

Follow by Email

Manchester United vs Liverpool Analysis

Manchester United faced Liverpool in the International Champions Cup, the premier preseason tournament for the big boys of Europe. In front of 107 thousand fans at the Rose Bowl stadium in California. Chris Smalling was injured for United in the pre-game warm up. Eric Bailly, who was given a complete rest as he had a niggle, came straight into the lineup. He played centrally in a 3-5-2 system, supported on either side by the young duo of Fosu Mensah and Tuanzebe. McTominay, Herrera and Andreas Pereira were the part of the midfield three, with Mata and Sanchez up ahead.Liverpool started brightly and expectedly so, as most of their first team players or squad players were in the starting XI. Sadio Mane and Mo Salah combined brilliantly in the opening stages and the latter had two shots on target inside the first 12 minutes. United lacked the physicality in the attacking department as the long balls from United's defense to overcome the Liverpool's pressing found only the heads of Klavan and Van Dijk. Around the half an hour mark, young Mitchell fouled Salah inside the box and Sadio Mane slotted the ball home from the spot. But Mitchell took it upon himself to rectify his earlier mistake and right from the kickoff, he went on a mazy run and won a free kick from a dangerous position. United's player of the preseason so far, Andreas Pereira stepped up and produced a moment of magic. From 25 yards, he curled a beautiful free-kick into the top corner and gave the Liverpool goalie no chance. Juan Mata found the back of the net twice, but the assistant referee had his flags raised on both occasions. At the start of the second half, United got Joel Pereira in place of Grant and the intensity of the gamereduced drastically as the heat started to get on to players. Around midway through the second half, Klopp got in Shaqiri and Sturridge and seconds later the duo combined to give Liverpool the lead. Then Hererra fouled Roberston in the area and Ojo scored one of the calmest penalties you will ever see in football. It was Shaqiri's turn now and the new Liverpool signing scored a gorgeous overhead kick to make it 4-1 for the Scousers. The lack of depth and experience amongst United's ranks was a glaring observation as the likes of Mata, Sanchez and Herrera played for almost 90 minutes for the second game running. But the fall out amongst United fans, especially online is really hilarious. A preseason defeat to a rival, where more than 10 first team players were missing due to their World Cup duties was taken by many as a cup final loss to Liverpool. If the media's narrative is to be considered, United are in tatters after this preseason loss to Liverpool. But when United beat then defending UCL champions Real Madrid and Barcelona in 2014 and 2015 respectively, why weren't United considered as the Treble favorites? It was very conveniently conveyed by the same media that it was just a preseason game. Hashtag "Mourinho Out" was trending among United supporters as some said they had seen enough of his moaning and negative football. But do they understand that this was probably just a quarter of the original first team squad? They easily forget how Mourinho got United to 2nd place in the league, highest ever position since Sir Alex Ferguson left and with 81 points, the highest ever tally since the Scotsman's last season at Old Trafford. Yes, sometimes he moans a lot and sometimes he gets his tactics wrong, like that one occasion vs Sevilla at home. But that doesn't mean he doesn't know what he is doing. He is still a winner, who has taken United to 3 finals in 2 years and won 2 of them. He is the best chance United have got to win their 21st league title. But he needs support from the chairman Ed Woodward too. Last season City splashed 130 million on fullbacks and that was important for Guardiola's system and proved to be a masterstroke. Mourinho said in his post-match press conference that he needs two more players for the season and it's the job of Woodward to make this happen and give the best chance for United to march on to the Premier League title.

Get link

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Google+

Email

Other Apps

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Manchester United vs Leicester City Preview
It has finally returned! The Premier League begins again and all players, managers and fans are raring to go as United host the first match of the season against the 2015/16 Premier League champions on Friday night at 20:00 GMT. However, before talking about the build-up to the game, there are a few things that need mentioning and of course, its about Deadline Day:
At the time of writing, Jose Mourinho has finished his sombre press conference and while Deadline Day ends today, it would seem the gaffer is concerned that there will be no more signings this window despite both he and Alexis Sanchez demanding that new players be brought in to compete with Manchester City and second favourites, Liverpool for the title and aim to build on their 19 point gap between their noisy neighbours. Whilst Yerry Mina seems set to join Everton, Maguire has been told he cannot leave Leicester despite wanting to join the Red Devils and Jerome Boateng has alrea…

Manchester United vs Leicester City
Match AnalysisThe first Premier league game of the 2018/19 season kicked
off with Manchester United vs Leicester City at Old Trafford. Manchester United
looked to bounce back after mostly disappointing pre-season and an
underwhelming transfer window, where they were linked with nearly every centre
back in the world and managed to not bring a single one to Theatre of Dreams. United
had a shaky pre-season with results and performances not meeting the expectations
of the fans, however it did give the team vital minutes to get up to full
fitness in preparation for this game. Additionally, the pre-season saw
Manchester United without many of their first team players as they were on
extended holiday following the World Cup, this gave some of United’s fringe
players the chance to stand out and break into the United first team, which
some did as can be seen by the team sheet below. The game saw a mostly expected eleven for
Manchester United with the only rea…

Of the three managers since 2013, there’s no denying that Jose Mourinho has
brought about the best post-Sir Alex Ferguson period at Manchester United since
the departure of the legendary Scotsman. The Portuguese has won the EFL Cup,
the Europa League, and the Community Shield but United fans are used to
challenging for more silverware than this. The former Chelsea boss is entering
his third season at Old Trafford, and it is imperative that he has the Red
Devils well in the race for the Premier League title this time out.

Mourinho has been famous for entering a club and then winning the league in
his second season, but this wasn’t the case with United. In fact, his side were
nowhere near champions Manchester City last time out and ended the campaign 19
points behind Pep Guardiola’s men. As Mourinho appears increasingly frustrated,
should fans be getting worried?

Looking back on Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge a few years ago may
worry United fans. In his second season in ch…

Manchester United vs Leicester City Player Ratings
Well, it wasn't the prettiest of wins but three points on the table and a home victory for Manchester United as they beat Leicester City 2-1 on Friday night. An early penalty from the skipper, Paul Pogba and a late goal from Luke Shaw seemed to seal the game before Jamie Vardy's odd goal halved the deficit for a nervy few minutes at Old Trafford. It was an even game as although Leicester had the ball a lot more than United, they did not really threaten De Gea's net apart from a few guilt-edged misses and a great save to deny Maddison. A win to build from and hopefully a team built around Paul Pogba who looks the buisness and could be the man who leads United to no.21. DAVID DE GEA 7.5/10
A brilliant save to deny James Maddison and was calm and composed for the majority of the game. A few scares towards the end and not much he could have done about the goal. Back to his best following the Spanish nightmare in Russia and ho…

We are finally approaching the end of the transfer window or by the time you’re reading this, it is the end of the transfer deadline. And fans are outraged all over social media about Manchester United not having yet signed up a new Centre-Back! Manchester United have been heavily linked with Tottenham star Toby Alderweireld, Leicester City CB Harry Maguire, Baryen Munich’s Jerome Boateng and now even Kurt Zouma. Kinda tell you how this CB saga is going right? But is it truly fail for the fans to be completely outraged at this? Yes, it is a bit frustrating but even if we do make one of the signings above, have we truly forgotten about our Swedish international. As we all seen, Lindelof had a good run in the World Cup this summer making it all the way to the quarterfinals. But why exactly can’t he do it for the Red Devils? Clearly something is up, Victor having only played 29 games in all caps and just only 13 starts for the £31Million CB. But why? Something I call ‘Lack of faith’ Jose clearl…

The transfer window has slam shut and it has been quite an
average summer for United. Mourinho has spent in the range of 70 million on three signings of Fred, Dalot and Lee Grant. But, United didn’t complete their
transfer wish list and missed out key areas of central defence and right wing. It
is Jose’s 3rd season at the club and it is already looking like a difficult
season with several clubs investing in their team and ready to give a fight. While
United are hanging on with an incomplete, yet stronger squad. It is truly going
to be a challenge for a manager who has won a title wherever he has managed, to
win a title in his 3rd and most difficult season of his United
career.
The team won the opening fixture of the Premier League
against Leicester City 2-1 with Pogba and Shaw scoring for the side. The match
showed us quite a few positives and an improved team who are more confident
while on attack after a splendid pre-season. The pre-season and the opener have
given us few positive…

As we all know by now, we have a new number ten! And no it isnt a new signing, its the homegrown Manchester United Academy graduate.

MARCUS RASHFORD
Yes, many people may argue and question weather or not if the kid is "ready" for the legendary number 10 jersey, as if the jersey makes the player?

But instead of questioning Jose Mourhino, Rashford or even yourselves. Let me tell you why Marcus Rashford is the perfect 10 for the Red Devils.
M.Rashford having the number 10 can mean only two things. Make Or Break! Wearing the legendary number worn by greats can lead him into the same path as those who once wore it. OR it can break him in a way where we know that the kid isn't cut out for the jersey or let alone, maybe even the Football Club. It will be lots of pressure on him history wise and social media wise and giving him the number 10 could truly test his character as a player.
Entering his 3rd full season with the senior team and despite not being in the starting Xl ever…

Image from Worldfootball.net
As we all know by now or if you even care about the lad, James Wilson is sent out on yet another loan spell from Manchester United to Aberdeen on a season loan.

Once under Louis Van Gaal as 'One of the brightest young English prospects' Wilson has failed to lived up to the name and yes he has been with the club for about 4 years now. I know right?
He only netted 2 goals in 17 games and was used in games against Arsenal Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool, and failed to live up to the name. And honestly if he isn't in the first team by now, he never will be especially due to the talents like, Lukaku,Sanchez,Martial and Rashford. Imagine having all them on the bench just to play James Wilson!

He is reaching the end of his Manchester United career as his contract expires this season and looks more than likely to end up as a free agent.

It seems The 23 year old has yet to impress the boss Jose Mourinho and honestly probably never will. So yes, it is t…

May 19th 2013 will always be remembered as a sad day for Manchester United Football Club. It was Sir Alex Ferguson’s 1500th and final match in charge of the Red Devils and 27 trophy laden years had come to an end. The game itself, a 5-5 draw away at West Bromwich Albion epitomised everything associated with Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson’s affiliation with the club. Sir Alex drew on the great traditions set by Sir Matt Busby in the 50s and 60s, playing fast, attacking and entertaining football with wingers which became widely recognised as the Manchester United way. Pre-Munich, David Pegg and Albert Scanlon graced the Old Trafford turf and after the rebuild from the tragedy of 1958, there was George Best, revered throughout the world and winning the 1968 European Cup with our beloved club. United’s traditions continued into the 70s and 80s with the likes of Steve Coppell, Gordon Hill, Jesper Olsen and Gordon Strachan. Ryan Giggs tore defenders apart for 25 years from 1991 on…

Manchester United vs Bayern Munich
Match Analysis This was Manchester United’s and Jose Mourinho’s last pre-season
game ahead of the start of
the 2018/19 Premier League campaign next week. Having previously faced
Club America, San Jose Earthquakes, AC Milan, Liverpool and Real Madrid in the
United States. It’s safe to say we have had a mixed pre-season in terms of both
results and performances. However, it has been a hugely beneficial one as our
players have had a great opportunity to get fit and ready for the start of the
season due to the competitiveness of many of our games. In addition, we have
been able to give most of our new signings a run out with Lee Grant and Fred
both picking up minutes on the tour, as well as the clubs most promising
youngsters such as Hamilton, Gomes, Chong, Mitchell and Greenwood who all
picked up minutes and tons of experience from their time with the first team on
the tour.
This final preparation game before the season, was played against Bayern Munich…